Bilberry bumblebee (Bombus monticola)
Species distribution map from https://nbnatlas.org
A particularly attractive bumblebee, with bright yellow bands on the thorax and a rich orange-red tail covering around two-thirds of the abdomen. A localised and declining species, found almost exclusively on moorland in association with stands of Bilberry. No records from the south-east.
The Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), Scottish Isles orange-tailed form of the Heath bumblebee (Bombus jonellus), and males of the Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) have the same red tail and yellow-black-yellow thorax of the Bilberry bumblebee, but only this species has the red tail extending over more than 50% of the abdomen.
For more photos visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/sets/72157631521250951/
For more detailed information visit BWARs.